Difference between RN and LPN?

Question

I'm in school to be an LNA.I've chosen to do this course first so I can work and go to school later. I want to know which direction to go in next.

I heard LPN's don't go to school as long...and I know RN's would make more. Can you explain all the differences for me? Its very hard to find an LPN course around here....

Answer 1

LPNs are trained to perform basic patient cares (ADLs - activities of daily living) like feeding, bathing, toileting, etc. They can also take vital signs, pass certain medications (no IV narcotics or IV pushes), and can delegate simple tasks to the nursing assistants.

RNs on the other hand, are expected to perform the nursing process of ADPIE - Assessment, Diagnosis, Plan, Intervention, and Evaluation. We perform full head to toe assessments and prioritize the patient's top areas of need, assign a nursing diagnosis (not a medical diagnosis), create outcomes or goals that will address that nursing diagnosis, formulate a plan to reach those goals which are comprised of interventions designed to meet the goal, then after we perform those interventions we evaluate our progress and start all over.

In order to do this, RNs must have a comprehensive knowledge of anatomy & physiology, disease pathology, psychology (because we take a holistic view of the patient and also address emotional needs and not just physical), etc. LPNs do not have the same level of education in order to perform at this level. An LPN can take vital signs but in order to interpret what they mean in relation to the lab results, the medications the patient is taking, and what to do next takes the education of an RN.

RNs hold a far higher degree of legal responsibility. There is a lot of charting and paperwork to do. They also delegate tasks to the LPNs and CNAs but all the while they retain complete responsibility over their patients and if they delegate a task inappropriately the RN is the one who is held responsible.

So many more job opportunities are available to RNs. You will have far more job security and long-term career stability as opposed to an LPN, which many hospitals don't even hire anymore. LPNs are most often found in nursing homes and out-patient clinics, which don't pay as well as hospitals either.

Answer 2

Usually RN is more paper work and more supervisory positions. LPN is just a glorified CNA. If you are able to go to school now go for RN, only do LPN if you need to make some money soon. The problem with being a LPN or CNA and letting the company send you to school is 1. You will be on a contract saying you will stay with the co. X amount of years and if you get fired you will have to pay them back 2.They will get away with paying you the least amount as an RN because they have you locked into a contract. I think they last as long as 5 yrs. But once you an RN no one can take it away from you and you can get a job ANYWHERE you can even be a traveling nurse- where you get to travel to different places and THEY pay for you lodging.

Answer 3

LPN is just a certificate. RN is an associates degree. You don't hold a degree with an LPN. Also limited job responsibilities too..

Answer 4

well Im going to be going to school next month to do my lpn, because its a one year program and i can work while im going to school for rn. in your situation that you will be done with your lna(cna maybe) you can work and attend a college to do your rn and also get financial aid for school since its a degree program. most lpn programs has no financial aid.

Answer 5

Each member of the healthcare (nurses) team has a specific Scope of Practice that is set by the State Board of Nursing (these differ state to state).

LPNs are practical nurses that can give oral medications, change dressings and so on.  IV medications and blood products are (in my state) not within their scope of practice.  They do some assessments on patients and report to the RN.

The RN is utimately responsible for the patient and all of the care administered on their shift.

If you are at all interested in nursing and think that this might be the career for you, check out diploma (offered by hospital owned schools of nursing) or Associate programs (offered by community colleges) in your area.  They will take you a little longer to complete, but it will be worth it in the end.